Published: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 12:01 p.m.

Jury selection begins today in the second-degree murder trial of a man accused of killing a 26-year-old man two years ago in Brevard.

Robert Frank Debiase, 25, of Tennessee, appeared in Transylvania County Superior Court Monday dressed in a suit and accompanied by two women.

Debaise was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter after sheriff's deputies discovered the body of Christopher Clark Lien in May 2007 on Ivey Lane. His charges were later upgraded to second-degree murder.

According to Sheriff's Office officials, Lien is originally from Ellicott, Md.

Debiase had been held in the Transylvania County jail under a $20,000 secured bond before he bonded out in September.

His attorney, Will Cathey, filed a motion last week to have the trial postponed until the next session of Superior Court in July. Judge Alan Thornburg denied the motion and stated that jury selection would begin this morning at 9:30.

Cathey's motion was based on test results he had not yet received and he told Thornburg that he expected to have the results by May 5.

"The state objects," Assistant District Attorney Doug Mundy said. "On Feb. 20, Mr. Cathey requested the case to be continued for the same reason. How many times is this going to be continued because the defense is not expediting the test results?"

Once Thornburg denied Cathey's motion, the defense and prosecution agreed to hear other motions in the case as they come up.

<p>Jury selection begins today in the second-degree murder trial of a man accused of killing a 26-year-old man two years ago in Brevard.</p><p>Robert Frank Debiase, 25, of Tennessee, appeared in Transylvania County Superior Court Monday dressed in a suit and accompanied by two women.</p><p>Debaise was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter after sheriff's deputies discovered the body of Christopher Clark Lien in May 2007 on Ivey Lane. His charges were later upgraded to second-degree murder.</p><p>Debaise is pleading not guilty to the charge.</p><p>Officers responding to an assault call found Lien, 26, dead, Sheriff David Mahoney said.</p><p>According to Sheriff's Office officials, Lien is originally from Ellicott, Md.</p><p>Debiase had been held in the Transylvania County jail under a $20,000 secured bond before he bonded out in September.</p><p>His attorney, Will Cathey, filed a motion last week to have the trial postponed until the next session of Superior Court in July. Judge Alan Thornburg denied the motion and stated that jury selection would begin this morning at 9:30.</p><p>Cathey's motion was based on test results he had not yet received and he told Thornburg that he expected to have the results by May 5.</p><p>"The state objects," Assistant District Attorney Doug Mundy said. "On Feb. 20, Mr. Cathey requested the case to be continued for the same reason. How many times is this going to be continued because the defense is not expediting the test results?"</p><p>Once Thornburg denied Cathey's motion, the defense and prosecution agreed to hear other motions in the case as they come up.</p><p>Harbin can be reached at 694-7881 or john.harbin@blueridgenow.com.</p>